Federal Forecast: Preview Federal League Boys Basketball

Friday

A team-by-team capsule look at the Federal League for the 2018-19 season.

GLENOAK GOLDEN EAGLES

Head coach: Matt Hackenberg

Last year: 11-13, 3-9

Player to watch: Josiah Harris, 6-6, fr.

Harris has it all except varsity basketball experience. Already with four Division I college offers (Akron, Kent State, Duquense and Youngstown State), the long, athletic Harris can shoot it, handle it and rebound it. And Hackenberg raves about his attitude as much as his skillset.

Outlook

Harris will be joined in GlenOak’s starting lineup by another freshman, 6-1 wing Ramar Pryor, whom Hackenberg called “the most athletic player I’ve ever coached.” Pryor has offers from Akron and Youngstown State. The two ninth graders will lead what Hackenberg, in his third year at GlenOak, hopes is an attitude change in the program. Junior guard Kindel Richardson, who averaged 11.4 points and 5.0 assists last season, could be back in January from a knee injury suffered during football season. Joe Miller, a 6-4 junior, and 6-3 senior Jasiah Crider (with a 6-9 wing span) also return.

Coach Hackenberg says:

“I’m feeling optimistic about this group. We practice well, which we haven’t always done in the past. We have a better attitude while having size, athleticism and high-end talent. We’ve performed well.”

GREEN BULLDOGS

Head coach: Mark Kinsley

Last year: 15-9, 9-3

Player to watch: Kaleb Martin, 5-9, sr.

The argument can be made that no player in the league was more valuable to his team than Martin last year, when he averaged a league-best 18.6 points a game. The speedy, skilled point guard is back as the catalyst for the Bulldogs and capable of some big scoring nights.

Outlook

Martin is Green’s only senior, but this is far from an inexperienced team. Martin is a four-year varsity player, while four of Green’s six juniors are in their third year on varsity. The Bulldogs return three starters and six lettermen overall from a team that shared last year’s league title with Jackson and Lake. Junior Garrison Keeslar averaged 9.7 points and made 37.9 percent of his 3-pointers last season. Martin’s freshman brother, Trey, is very athletic and expected to play a role on the varsity team.

Coach Kinsley says:

“Obviously, if we can repeat, that’d be great. But it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be some tough sledding. I think the league is going to be balanced. I don’t think there is a dominant team out there.”

HOOVER VIKINGS

Head coach: Mike Bluey

Last year: 4-19, 2-10

Player to watch: Sencire Harris, 6-4, fr.

What kind of expectations are on the ninth grader? “Well, the ball is going to be in his hands an awful lot,” Bluey said. The super-smooth lefty is ultra talented and will run the show for the Vikings.

Outlook

Bluey takes over for Todd Blackledge as Hoover hits the reset button after its worst season since 1989-90. Sophomore guard Connor Ashby is back after a tremendous season at quarterback for the Vikings football team. That gives a young Hoover team an intriguing backcourt with Harris and Ashby. Juniors Jonah McCartney and Isaac Barker bring back varsity experience from last year.

Coach Bluey says:

“We want to try to win every game we step on the floor for. The preparation is daily. We’re working toward our immediate goals, first and foremost (the opener) Dec. 4. But we also go about our business keeping our long-term goals in mind. We want to create a foundation for long-term program success.”

JACKSON POLAR BEARS

Head coach: Tim Debevec

Last year: 19-7, 9-3

Player to watch: Anthony Mazzeo, 6-2, sr.

Mazzeo hit a Jackson-record 69 3-pointers and averaged 10.4 points last year basically playing on one leg because of a calf injury. The last rotation player left from the 2017 state championship team, Mazzeo returns this year healthier and stronger.

Outlook

The Polar Bears are dealing with life after Jaret Pallotta, the versatile forward who was First Team All-Ohio and Federal League Player of the Year last season. Point guard Ethan Stanislawski also graduated. Mazzeo and F Will Hyde (9.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 71.3 FG percent) step into bigger roles along with a third starter also returning in Sean Reed. Jackson — with at least a share of four straight league titles and two straight district championships — tries to remain the premier program in the county. The Polar Bears’ JV team went 21-0 last year, so several of those players will fill varsity roles this season.

Coach Debevec says:

“The guys are ready. You always think about that next group that is coming through the program. They want to keep the tradition going and keep winning games.”

LAKE BLUE STREAKS

Head coach: Tom McBride

Last year: 20-4, 9-3

Player to watch: Jake Maranville, 6-2, sr.

The Blue Streaks have one of the best, most-experienced players in Stark County in Maranville, who averaged 13.1 points and 3.7 assists last year. A four-year varsity player who can play the point or the wing, Maranville is an excellent driver of the basketball with his quickness and length. He already has signed with Division II Nova Southeastern (Fla.).

Outlook

The Blue Streaks have grabbed at least a share of the league title in four of the last six years and will no doubt be a factor once again in the league race with their brand of smart, patient basketball under McBride. Maranville is the only returning starter. Nick Mazzocca, a 6-5 senior forward with a variety of skills, will be counted on to be more of a scorer this season. Garrett Obourn, Logan Fedor and Chris Remark all saw varsity time last season.

Coach McBride says:

“It’s been really nice to have a solid guard back like Jake. His experience is something we’re going to rely on. … I really love the parity of the league.”

MCKINLEY BULLDOGS

Head coach: Andrew Vlajkovich

Last year: 15-11, 8-4

Player to watch: Kobe Johnson, 6-3, soph.

“The most mature sophomore I’ve ever been around,” is how Vlajkovich describes Johnson, the son of assistant coach Chet Harper. Johnson started last year as a freshman and averaged 8.5 points a game. Now the Bulldogs will look to him to lead this young, talented team. Johnson has offers from UT Martin and Stetson (Fla.).

Outlook

There is a new feel around the McKinley program. The Bulldogs return only three lettermen (Johnson, Charles Hatcher and Ronnie McClain) from last year’s team that fell in double overtime to Jackson in the district championship game. Vlajkovich comes over from Warren Harding to take over for the retired Rick Hairston. Brent Walker, a rugged 6-6 sophomore from the Dayton area, could be a beast in the paint. Jalen Ross, a 6-2 junior who helped St. Vincent-St. Mary win a state title last year, is back in his home district. Ross’ availability early on is in question because of the wear and tear from football season. Several players from a strong McKinley JV team last year also will step into key varsity roles.

Coach Vlajkovich says:

“We are talented. We are young. We can put together strings of possessions where we look like we are contenders to accomplish our goals. Then we have some stretches where it’s pretty frustrating. That’s just the nature of having young guys. … Our chemistry isn’t great, but that’s not because of the character of the kids. We just haven’t played a whole lot together.”

PERRY PANTHERS

Head coach: Chad Spurgeon

Last year: 7-16, 2-10

Player to watch: Julian Jackson, 5-9, sr.

The lightning quick Jackson averaged 16.6 points and 4.1 assists last year for the Panthers in gaining first-team all-league honors. He provides a ton of experience and gives them a one-man press-breaker against some of the better pressure teams they’ll see.

Outlook

Perry competed better last year than its record suggests. With four starters back and six lettermen overall, it might be time for a more mature Panthers squad to turn the corner. Jagger Haynes, a 6-6 junior, averaged 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds last year. Sophomore Quentin Toles and junior Reese Heater also are returning starters, while senior KJ Stokes is back after missing all of last year with a knee injury.

Coach Spurgeon says:

“We’re cautiously optimistic. We’ve had a great offseason and a great preseason, but obviously that doesn’t mean a lot. … We’ve gained about 100 pounds in our starting lineup, so Mother Nature has blessed us. The kids are bigger and stronger.”

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